Tribeca Grill’s 30th Anniversary Highlights Latinx Colleague Contributions
Tracy Nieporent shares restaurant industry insights on the Coronavirus, Tribeca Grill’s 30th anniversary and recognizes two key colleagues, Miguel Cruz, and Angel Hernandez who appear in front of Tribeca Grill. Photo credit: Nancy Ana Merino
“Given what’s transpiring right now with the Coronavirus, this is a very challenging time for everyone. It is particularly difficult in the restaurant business. When we reopen for business we’ll be inspired to provide our guests a mini-vacation from the anxieties of the world. Hopefully, we’ll all be back to normal soon.” Tracy Nieporent, restauranteur, director of marketing/partner, of the Myriad Restaurant Group (Tribeca Grill, Bâtard, Nobu Downtown, Nobu 57, Nobu London, Metropolitan Grill (formerly Porche Grill) at Citi Field, The Daily Burger at Madison Square Garden, and Crush Wine & Spirits).
Tribeca Grill and the people who made the 30 years possible:
Since 1990, the Tribeca Grill restaurant has played a starring role both internationally, and in the vibrant downtown New York City dining scene. Owned by famed restaurateur Drew Nieporent and Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, the Grill provides a quintessential NYC dining experience, enhanced with a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list, and great people-watching.
At last Fall’s Latin Biz Today Spectrum of Success NY Event, Tracy Nieporent, spoke about many of the reasons why the Tribeca Grill stands the test of time. Certainly, a legendary list of investors including Bill Murray, Sean Penn, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christopher Walken, Ed Harris, and Mikhail Baryshnikov creates significant interest, as does the leadership of Managing Partner Martin Shapiro. Not to be underestimated is the continuing contributions of Tribeca Grill’s Latino colleagues from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Ecuador.
Jose “Miguel “Cruz
Jose “Miguel “Cruz, from Tenares, Republica Dominicana, joined Tribeca Grill 30 years ago, and is the personification of dedication and loyalty.
He serves the restaurant’s guests with charm and professionalism. Cruz came to New York City with the inspiration to discover new opportunities that simply were not available at home. Every day was filled with new explorations with friends from the Dominican Republic.
Miguel originally met Drew Nieporent at the famed Maxwell’s Plum, where many famous celebrities like Cary Grant, Barbara Streisand, and Warren Beatty were regular patrons. He followed Drew to Tribeca Grill, the restaurant that helped put the Tribeca neighborhood on the map, and through the years has served a who’s who of athletes, politicians, musicians, and artists.
Among the highlights was raising the Stanley Cup and carrying it through the Tribeca Grill kitchen and serving Michael Jordan the night before he scored 55 points against the Knicks. Miguel travels home periodically to the Dominican and enjoys the visits immensely. But he always returns to New York, knowing the joy of new adventures that await at Tribeca Grill and in the city that never sleeps.
Angel Hernandez
Angel Hernandez, a native of Puerto Rico, came to NYC seeking new adventures.
After several work experiences, his effervescent personality caught the attention of the leadership at Tribeca Grill. He started as a server, and genuinely enjoyed meeting the restaurant’s guests, while providing first class service. Within a relatively short time, Tribeca Grill diners started asking for Angel by name because he had left such a positive impression on their experience in the restaurant.
Angel notes that, “I treat our guests like my family,” and this attention to detail led to his promotion to Service Manager. Angel is proud that he earned his opportunities to grow at Tribeca Grill. He demonstrates the “hospitality gene” that makes the Grill’s guests feel right at home.
As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, Tribeca Grill is grateful for the invaluable contributions of Miguel and Angel and over a dozen other Latino colleagues, who all work together with passion and integrity to earn and maintain the loyalty of our guests.
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